Best of

the Twin Cities

Best Distillery

Norseman Distillery

There’s a lot more competition in this category than when we first started recognizing liquor distillers, back in 2014. Norseman won that year’s nod, too, though back then it was merely a brand. Now it’s a destination. Just over a year into the opening of a spacious, secluded Northeast cocktail room, Norseman’s calendar is consistently filled with hot events celebrating local artists, writers, and designers. The move behind the bar hasn’t quieted the creative spirit, so to speak. Last year brought the debut of a series of new liqueurs, and in December, a “leathered aquavit.” That one flew off shelves — then moved even faster out of the warehouse, after state regulators said the drink’s use of leather wasn’t safe for consumption. Given Norseman’s track record, do not expect it to be scolded into simplicity.